Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 411 The Value of Wangu Company

Two films with the same theme were released this summer, but one was a medium-budget production and the other was a high-budget production.

With Kinji Fukasaku on one side and Akio Jissoji on the other, the audience doesn't actually have many choices.

Before long, the day of the film's release arrived. Gu Ming dressed up specially and, accompanied by his assistant Tanaka and driver Koizumi, went to a movie theater in Tokyo's Minato Ward.

"The Demon... Demon Reincarnation?"

Koizumi looked at the movie ticket and was shocked.

Why are we contributing to the box office revenue for the other side?!

Gu Ming shrugged.

Anyway, the box office difference isn't much, so I'll go check it out.

Gu Ming looked around the movie theater; the theater was already full.

With summer vacation, marketing, and the golden reputation of Kinji Fukasaku, it was indeed easy to fill up the seats, which is quite different from the Ghostly Scroll.

The movie started soon, and Gu Ming watched it attentively. He had to admit that the viewing experience of a big-budget production and a medium-budget production was completely different. Apart from the special effects that he had managed to put together, the difference between the two was quite obvious.

The set design, extras, costumes, props, and even the demon reincarnation scene were all extremely well done.

Shinichi Chiba also delivered an outstanding performance. In the final scene, amidst the rising flames, Jubei Yagyu's desperate battle and his stunning sword strike were truly breathtaking.

"not bad."

Before the theater lights came on, Gu Ming put on his hat and left the movie theater with the two men.

He had never seen the movie "Makai Tensei" before, but it was very famous. The later "Fate/stay night" series, which was a hodgepodge of Japanese history, was a spiritual successor to "Makai Tensei". Both of them brought historical figures to the modern era and had them fight each other.

In retrospect, this certainly lives up to Toei's reputation as a big-budget production.

Sitting in his car near the movie theater, Gu Ming rolled down the window and listened to the conversations outside.

"It's great, as expected of director Kinji Fukasaku."

"Why are people being rescued in Nara and then in Tokyo? Are our people really that easy to disappear from sight?"

"Please, that's Mr. Shinichi Chiba!"

"I just think it's unreliable..."

"You've seen the Scroll of Vengeful Spirits? What did you think?"

"It was alright. The story was very touching. I liked Ayana-chan's final look. They really put on a huge show at the end! There were vengeful spirits flying all over the sky. I don't know how they could create such a big scene."

Gu Ming raised his eyebrows, gesturing to Koizumi.

"Let's drive, there's no need to listen anymore."

Koizumi responded and drove off.

……

……

A few days later, Gu Ming received the film report from Kurosawa Mitsuru.

"As expected, it can't compare to Demon Realm Reincarnation in terms of attendance and box office. Although it chose a good time and the results can't be called bad, there is still a certain gap between the two."

It's roughly like the difference between Beijing and Shanghai; it's real and objectively exists, but the directions are different.

Gu Ming put away the report, quickened his pace, and walked into the Wangu editing room in front of him.

The filmed footage is edited here, and then sent to Gu Ming for post-production to add special effects.

Gu Ming walked into the editing room, and to his surprise, in addition to several editing masters, Wan Gu Ying Er was also there, leaning back in his chair, personally supervising the editing work.

"Here, we need to speed things up a bit more, cut the camera faster, so that this guy's movements look more agile. Since he's a gymnastics teacher, how can he be so slow?"

"No, no, let's zoom in on the child's face and give him a close-up...we need to show the children's surprised expressions."

Gu Ming stood behind, without saying a word.

Several tens of minutes later, probably tired, Eiji Mangaya finally stopped.

After a long silence, he turned to look at Gu Ming. "Gu Ming, you've been waiting for a long time, haven't you?"

"Fortunately, it was only for a short while. I also benefited a lot from being able to see those editing ideas."

"You always like to say those things. Come, sit down."

Gu Ming nodded and sat down to the side of Wan Gu Ying Er across the small tea table.

The editing room was dimly lit, with only the hissing of film and the clicking of the editors operating their equipment.

The flickering light was the light from the film's projection.

Light passed behind the two, illuminating their figures and leaving two silhouettes on the screen.

On one hand, he is young and vigorous; on the other hand, he is old and decrepit.

After a moment of silence, Eiji Manaya suddenly spoke up: "Mr. Manaya, how many yen do you think Manaya is worth now?"

"Ha, I can't figure that out, I can't count." Gu Ming laughed. "However, those copyrights are probably priceless."

Mango Eiji nodded at first, then shook his head.

"Actually, I've already had it estimated by the bank. Without those copyrights, Wangu's valuation is only 100 million yen."

"If we include copyrights and corresponding licenses, it would probably cost one billion yen."

Gu Ming did not respond, but simply nodded, watching the reflection on the screen sway along with it.

After catching his breath, Mango Eiji said, "And if you add in the connections I used to have, those who are still willing to do something, those who will help, those who are willing to cooperate... the value is 3 billion yen."

Gu Ming's eyes flickered slightly.

Three billion is three million US dollars.

However, don't underestimate three million dollars. It's not a small amount. Back in the 1980s, when the dollar was still the currency, George Lucas only spent six million dollars to build Industrial Light & Magic.

Gu Ming flicked his fingers, his mind racing, and finally spoke.

"Actually, I have about 600 million yen."

If you don't want the copyright, then the job is done.

If you want copyright, that's not enough.

But if you want those connections... well, that's far from enough.

As soon as Gu Ming finished speaking, he suddenly felt a weight on his arm. He looked down and saw Wan Guying's withered hand tightly gripping his wrist.

"Furuya-kun."

"Yes."

"Xiao Yi is a good kid, but sometimes he's not quite as bright as he used to be."

"The number one brother does have his talent."

“…Be nicer to Xiao Ao.”

Gu Ming looked up and met Wan Gu Ying'er's eyes, but he had already let go of Gu Ming and returned to his original position.

"Push me back."

As Mango Eiji said this, he lowered his gaze.

It was only at this moment that Gu Ming realized that he had been sitting in a wheelchair the whole time.

Gu Ming then stood up, supported the wheelchair, and slowly pushed Wan Gu Ying Er out of the editing room.

The door opened, and strong sunlight shone in from outside, which made those who were used to darkness feel a little uncomfortable for a moment.

Mango Eiji narrowed his eyes and tilted his head slightly.

Gu Ming continued to push his wheelchair.

The door closed, finally locking away all the darkness within.

(End of this chapter)